The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department celebrated its 2024-25 athletic season at the third annual Regal’s Choice Awards hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) on Tuesday, April 22, at Kiehle Auditorium on the Minnesota Crookston campus. The program was highlighted by multiple award recipients.
Jackson Fuller (Sr., Bloomington) of the hockey program was named the Male Athlete of the Year, was previously selected as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and was also named the winner of the Male Super Geag, an award that takes into account their roles on campus, overall involvement in the community, academics, and athletics. Fuller accumulated 13 goals and 18 assists as a senior.
Emma Miller (Jr., Albertville) brought home three awards for the women’s basketball team. The standout earned Highlight of the Year, Record Breaking Performance of the Year, and Female Athlete of the Year honors. Miller was a D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team pick, and an All-NSIC First Team honoree. She set the single-season scoring record at Minnesota Crookston and in the NSIC. Miller is second all-time in scoring at Minnesota Crookston and is one of the top scorers all-time in the NSIC. This season, she averaged 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. In her career, she has 1,664 points, 447 rebounds, and 258 assists.
Tristan Morneault (Sr., Dieppe, New Brunswick), who is a dual-sport athlete in men’s cross country and hockey, was named Male Senior Athlete of the Year. Morneault has been a leader on campus, as President of SAAC. For cross country, he ran a 34:56.37 at the Central Region race, and notched a personal record of 26:48.0 at the NSIC Championship. In hockey, he notched four goals and 14 assists as a senior. In his career, Morneault tallied 30 goals and 65 assists.
Anna Grabowski (Sr., Waterdown, Ontario) of women’s cross country was named the Female Senior Athlete of the Year. Grabowski paced the Golden Eagles at the Central Regional with their best-ever time at a Regional, finishing in 23:34.91. Grabowski finished 46th at the NSIC Championship, helping the team to their best-ever time at an NSIC Championship.
Riley Jenkins (So., Galesburg, Ill.) was selected the Most Improved Player. Jenkins was an All-NSIC Second Team pick for women’s basketball. Jenkins had a breakout season after recovering from injury. Jenkins averaged 11.2 points, and 6.2 rebounds per game. Jenkins shot 41.5 percent from the field, and helped the Golden Eagles to a NSIC Tournament berth.
Halle Winjum (Fr., Crookston) of women’s basketball was named the Female Newcomer of the Year. Winjum averaged 2.6 points per game, but had a large role on the team, and was great in practice. Winjum started 11 games, shot 40.0 percent from the field, and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Dylan Debilzen (Fr., Parkers Prairie) was named the Male Newcomer of the Year. Debilzen has made a substantial impact as a true freshman. Debilzen is leading the team hitting .355, with 44 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples, one home run, and 24 RBI. He leads the team with 13 stolen bases.
Alexandra Wentland (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) was named the Female Super Geag, which factors in everything including academics, athletics, and community involvement. Wentland competes for the equestrian team and helped them to their best success in a season at the NCEA level. Wentland was named to the NCEA First Team All-Academic team. She was named ECAC Rider of the Week earlier this season, and helped the team to a IHSA Semifinals appearance, and their first IHSA Regional Championship in 14 years.
Emma Malek (So., Plainfield, Ill.) of volleyball, and Chance Colgrove (Fr., Grand Forks, N.D.) earned the Iron Eagle Award for their work in the weight room. Reid Grant (Sr., Johnston, Iowa) was awarded the Justin Knebel Award for his leadership, and showing all the qualities that Justin Knebel demonstrated before his untimely death. Grant was an All-NSIC Second Team selection and averaged 16.3 points per game.
The women’s soccer team earned the Highest GPA Award. The men’s cross country team won the Geag Cup, for their involvement on campus and in all the campus initiatives. Softball coaches Ashton Sangster and Grace Clouser took home Coaching Staff of the Year for leading the team to a program-best 20 wins and almost making their first-ever NSIC Tournament.
Clara Hanson (Sr., Grand Forks, N.D.) was named the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at an earlier banquet. She has a 4.0 GPA, and has been excellent on the golf course, as well, setting numerous records and winning the USF Invitational in the Fall. She is also the program’s Kelly Award nominee, and is a Myles Brand NSIC All-Academic with Distinction recipient.
The Golden Eagles also celebrated record breakers, and their seniors across all sports at the annual event.
